The people of Ipokia Kingdom, Ogun State, have continued to receive messages of sympathy and solidarity from individuals, organisations and well-meaning sons and daughters of the kingdom following the passing of the Onipokia, Oba Yisa Olusola Ola
niyan, whose death has left the entire community in deep mourning.
Joining the growing list of dignitaries and groups identifying with the people of Ipokia at this difficult period is I’m Somebody Foundation, a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation founded by renowned music star and Bobadara of Ipokia Kingdom, Chief Yinka Rythmz.
The foundation, in a show of love, respect and solidarity, paid a condolence visit to Ipokia Kingdom to commiserate with the people over the death of their revered monarch.
The delegation was warmly received and hosted by the Chief Aro of Ipokia Kingdom, alongside other prominent chiefs and respected traditional leaders of the kingdom.
Speaking during the condolence visit, the President of I’m Somebody Foundation, Kafilat Al-hassan, conveyed the heartfelt condolence message of the foundation’s founder, Chief Yinka Rythmz, the Bobadara of Ipokia Kingdom, and the co-founder, Dr. Ogonna Adesewa Al-hassan, Yeye Bobadara of Ipokia Kingdom.
In a deeply emotional and sobbing mood, Kafilat expressed the profound sadness of the foundation and the two prominent traditional titleholders over the passing of Oba Yisa Olusola Olaniyan.
She described the death of the monarch as a colossal loss not only to the people of Ipokia Kingdom but also to Bobadara and Yeye Bobadara, who, according to her, shared a very close and cordial relationship with the late monarch.
Kafilat revealed that the relationship between the late Onipokia and Chief Yinka Rythmz predated the ascension of the late monarch to the throne, stressing that the two men had maintained a strong bond of friendship, mutual respect and commitment to the development of Ipokia Kingdom.
According to her, the sudden departure of the monarch was particularly painful because the late Onipokia and Chief Yinka Rythmz had previously discussed several developmental initiatives and projects that the Bobadara was planning to bring to the kingdom for the benefit of the people.
She said the passing of the monarch came at a time when several ideas and plans for the progress and development of Ipokia Kingdom were being discussed, making his death even more painful to those who had shared his vision for the community.
Kafilat said, “The death of our Kabiyesi is a colossal loss to Bobadara and Yeye Bobadara of Ipokia Kingdom. The relationship between the late Onipokia and Bobadara was a very close one, and this relationship existed even before Kabiyesi ascended the throne. They shared a deep bond and had several conversations about the development and progress of Ipokia Kingdom.”
She added that the foundation was in Ipokia to stand firmly with the people during their period of grief and to assure them that the pain of losing their monarch was shared by the entire I’m Somebody Foundation family.
She further prayed for the repose of the soul of the late monarch, asking God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and give the entire Ipokia community, the royal family, traditional institution and all the people of the kingdom the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding on behalf of the kingdom, the Chief Aro of Ipokia Kingdom expressed profound appreciation to Chief Yinka Rythmz, Dr. Ogonna Adesewa Al-hassan and the entire I’m Somebody Foundation for identifying with the people of Ipokia at such a difficult moment.
He described the death of the Onipokia as a painful loss to the kingdom, noting that the people had lost someone who was very dear to them.
According to him, while the death of the monarch has brought sorrow and tears to the kingdom, the people must accept the will of God and continue to pray for the repose of the departed king.
He said, “I want to sincerely appreciate Bobadara and Yeye Bobadara, as well as I’m Somebody Foundation, for identifying with us at this grieving period. We are mourning the passing of our Kabiyesi, and indeed, we have lost someone who was very dear to us. However, who are we to question God? We can only accept His will and continue to pray.”
The Chief Aro also assured Chief Yinka Rythmz and Dr. Ogonna Adesewa Al-hassan of the continued cordial relationship between them and the people of Ipokia Kingdom.
He appealed to the Bobadara and Yeye Bobadara not to distance themselves from the kingdom because of the passing of the monarch, assuring them that the people of Ipokia would continue to appreciate their love, support and commitment to the development of the community.
“We want to assure Bobadara and Yeye Bobadara that our good relationship with them will continue. Please, do not abandon us because we have lost our king. We still need your love, support and presence.
We appreciate everything you have been doing for Ipokia,” he added.
Another prominent chief who spoke during the visit also commended I’m Somebody Foundation for what he described as a remarkable demonstration of love, compassion and concern for the people of Ipokia.
He said the visit had shown that the foundation and its leadership genuinely identified with the people, not only during moments of celebration but also in times of sorrow and difficulty.
“We sincerely thank I’m Somebody Foundation for this great show of love and concern. Your presence here at this difficult moment means a lot to us. We appreciate the founder, Chief Yinka Rythmz, the co-founder, Dr. Ogonna Adesewa Al-hassan, and every member of the foundation for coming to share in our grief,” he said.
The condolence visit ended with prayers for the peaceful repose of the late Onipokia, Oba Yisa Olusola Olaniyan, and prayers for the royal family, chiefs and the entire people of Ipokia Kingdom to be granted the strength to navigate the difficult period.
The visit further underscored the strong bond between I’m Somebody Foundation and the people of Ipokia Kingdom, while reaffirming the commitment of the foundation’s leadership to maintaining meaningful relationships with the community and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting unity, development and progress in the kingdom.